A survey conducted by Retrevo has found that over 60 percent of 1,100 consumers surveyed did not know that Windows 7 Starter lacks some key features. This includes the inability to personalize the desktop, support for multiple monitors and DVD playback, all standard fare on Windows XP.

Once people were informed of these missing features, 56 percent said that they would not be satisfied with Windows 7 Starter. With 23 out of 28 netbooks currently running Windows 7 Starter, it looks like quite a few will be opting to upgrade to Home Premium.

However, this may cause negative sentiment towards Microsoft. “I think most users will feel angry with having to pay the $80 for an upgrade to get those features,” said Andrew Eisner, director of content for Retrevo. To get round this issue you could always buy a Linux netbook and there’s still a sizeable number of XP netbooks around too (for now).

Comments

Its almost criminal how much they have crippled Windows 7 Starter Edition. I can understand removing features like Aero, and the like, but they are also removing basic functionality as well.

Bob said:November 11th, 2009 3:50 PM

Its a bare minimum offer (read: ploy) to get the consumer roped into Windows. So once you get the starter edition, you’d automatically long for the better editions. This is biz & commerce first, technology later edition. So, see if you can opt for Win 7 Home Premium or upgrade from XP to Win Home Premium or better editions straight off.

sjc1963 said:November 11th, 2009 4:18 PM

I bought a copy of W7HP for my netbook, it came with XP.

The point is that XP is still better than W7SE, or even a variant of Linux and that is FREE.

It’s the usual abuse that Microsoft imposes on its customers. They’ve removed functionality and crippled the OS that comes with the netbook to keep the cost down and make it more appealing price-wise. But, yet they offer you to BUY the upgrade and get Windows 7 Home Premium and give you the features back. What a joke. Sure, get a netbook with Windows but keep your wallet close by. Otherwise, get a netbook with Linux and get a full operating system that is full featured, and is everything but crippled. Linux is more efficient and runs a lot better on slimmer hardware.

Bob said:November 12th, 2009 5:53 AM

@sjc1963: Absolutely, stick with XP – the support isn’t gonna die down soon. I would even prefer a smartbook or a Linuxoid in place of Win SE netbook !!

I think Win7 SE (translation: crippleware) shouldn’t be sold at all. The upgrade from SE to HP = US$ 80, but some retailers may be offering built-in Win HP books for a premium (over SE) of US$ 60. So why not opt for this in the first place ? Either way, you’d need to shell out cash.

sjc1963 said:November 12th, 2009 2:53 PM

Did you know that Home Basic is not even going to be sold in the West at all? At least that is better than SE.

Rober said:November 12th, 2009 4:34 PM

Hopefully manufacturers stick with XP for a while in netbooks and pcs, Win7 starter is ridiculous and Home P+ are too complicated.

Bob said:November 12th, 2009 5:38 PM

@sjc1963 : Even if you get Home Basic, it may not be that appealing either (just a hunch) .. its better to experience Win7 in all it’s glory vide Home Premium or ++ editions otherwise its way better to keep it running on XP.

I hope you guys read the unsurprising news on battery life letdown from a Win7 machine. Its official – the battery life fares much better on XP laden netbook. You said it right … hopefully XP installed netbooks keep getting sold for longer.

sjc1963 said:November 12th, 2009 6:49 PM

As I had said above I own a copy of W7HP. I’ve had my netbook for several months now and it came with XP.

Bob said:November 12th, 2009 7:42 PM

@sjc1963: By you I actually meant (wanted to say) ‘anyone’ who seeks to use W7, should go for HP or ++.

F*CK with this version, Defect Mode On… what can you do without the common features in your hand?? I think i must wait n wait until somebody hack the higher version, so i can buy it only with 6USD or less than it, or may be i just need to borrow from my friend and burn it with only 25p dvd blank… wkwkwk.. i’ll wait the hack version